Additional notes (click to expand)

Horticulture

This small, evergreen shrub has pretty, scented, pinkish white flowers in early summer and berries in autumn. the flavour is somewhere between, pineapple and confectionary. Superb fresh, they also make excellent jams, jellies and muffins. Grows and flowers well in part shade but needs full sun to ripen fruits fully. Grows well in pots. enjoys a sheltered site
The Royal Horticultural Society The Garden magazine, September 2021

Medicinal

Murta, Ugni molinae has been traditionally used by indigenous and rural peoples of Chile in a leaf infusion to treat urinary and throat infections, while the fruit is known for its astringent power.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023186/

Other use

The berries are edible, tasting somewhere between strawberry, pineapple and confectionary. Superb fresh, they also make excellent jams and muffins.
The Royal Horticultural Society The Garden magazine, September 2021

Geographical distribution

  • Southern America, Southern South America, Argentina Northeast
  • Southern America, Southern South America, Argentina Northwest
  • Southern America, Southern South America, Argentina South
  • Southern America, Southern South America, Chile Central
  • Southern America, Southern South America, Chile North
  • Southern America, Southern South America, Chile South

Ugni molinae Turcz.

Family: MYRTACEAE
Genus: Ugni
Species: molinae Turcz.
Common names: Chilean guava; Strawberry myrtle
Distribution summary: Chile, W. Argentina
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Southern Hemisphere Wolfson bed (N)
Reason for growing: Medicinal


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